Thailand's government declares a state of emergency in Bangkok

Bangkok: Thailand’s government has declared a state of emergency that gives security forces wide powers to crackdown on protesters following escalating violence in Bangkok.

The 60-day emergency decree gives security agencies the power to impose curfews, detain suspects without charge, censor media, ban political gatherings of more than five people and declare areas off-limits.

The decree declared after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday applies to Bangkok and surrounding areas and came into force on Wednesday morning.

The move suggests the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is preparing to take a tougher stand against protesters who have occupied key ministries and shut down parts of Bangkok.

Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban (C) raises his fist as anti-government protesters march in downtown Bangkok as part of their ongoing rallies.

But Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said the government would adhere to international standards and not use force or weapons in cracking down on protesters.

Until now security forces have been ordered not to act against protesters unless to prevent violence, allowing protesters to blockade government offices, cut power and water supplies to buildings and close key roads across the city of 12 million people.

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The government feared that moving against the protesters could provoke violence leading to a coup by the country’s powerful and politicised military that has intervened often in the past.

The protesters are demanding Ms Yingluck and her cabinet ministers resign and call off elections called for February 2, accusing the government of being illegitimate because of alleged corruption and being run from abroad by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Thaksin is Ms Yingluck’s elder brother who lives in Dubai to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

The official announcement of the decree said the elections will go ahead as planned despite a boycott by the main opposition Democrat party.

“We need it [the decree] because the protesters have closed buildings, banks and escalated the situation, which has caused injuries and deaths,” said Labour Minister Chalern Yoobamrung when announcing the decree late on Tuesday.

“The government sees the need to announce the emergency decree to keep the situation under control,” he said.

“Is it right for them to use the emergency decree to declare a state of emergency to come and deal with us? Come and get us,” he said.

At least nine people have been killed and hundreds injured in two months of unrest.

The army has warned about the violence increasing, citing intelligence that weapons and explosives are being moved into Bangkok.

“An ill-intentioned group is mobilising weapons and bombs to stir-up violence and attack its rivals,” army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said, without giving any more details.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said it was apparent that a group of people wanted to use violence but again played down speculation about a coup.

“The situation has not yet escalated to the point where we must get involved,” he said.

The conflict is dragging down Thailand's economy with sharp falls in the Thai baht, the stock market and the number of tourist arrivals.

Attacks on protest sites are occurring almost every day, mostly at night.

In broad terms, the conflict pits two bitterly divided groups of elites against each other, one supported by Bangkok’s middle class and opposition supporters from the country’s southern provinces and the other supported by mostly poor rural people from the north and north-eastern provinces.

Australia’s smartraveller.gov.au advice for Thailand has been upgraded to warn Australians to avoid all protest sites, surrounding areas, political rallies and parades through Bangkok and other locations due to the risk of further violent attacks.

Australian tourists have often been seen joining protesters at rally sites.